Need guidance on selecting components for my upgrade?
Need guidance on selecting components for my upgrade?
Hey there!
I'm facing a tough choice when it comes to upgrading my system. I already have a solid GPU, a 2060 Super, and good storage and power supplies. However, my CPU, an i5 8400B, is showing signs of aging and has been causing blue screens and crashes lately. I've tried reapplying thermal paste, cleaning the PC, and checking the fan, but temperatures keep rising to 90°C or more during games.
My CPU can't be upgraded without a new motherboard, as my current one only supports up to the 8th generation of Intel chips. My RAM is also a bit outdated at 2666MHz. The case I use is an old custom build from about eight years ago, so changing it might not be necessary, but I'm considering switching to the Talos E3 Mesh.
I was thinking about getting an "upgrade kit" that includes a Ryzen 5 5500 CPU, a B550 Gaming GEN3 motherboard, and 16GB of 3200MHz RAM. But I'm having trouble deciding between ARGB and RGB headers, and I'm not sure if this kit is the best fit. I'd really appreciate some advice on which components to choose. Thanks! <3
Your budget, main application, and location are specified. Additionally, details about your SSD and PSU are provided.
Yeah, I understand it's an i5-8400, but it's actually a desktop system!
I've tried my best, but I'm still struggling to find a reason for the high temperatures. After thorough cleaning, I haven't seen any improvement. The setup includes a R10,000 gaming PC with Samsung SSD 850 EVO M.2 500GB and a 1TB external SSD Drive, along with a Gamdias Kratos M1-750B RGB 750W. Sorry for the delayed reply! <3
I agree with Bob.B. Please check the thermal paste and pay close attention to the criss cross screw tightening pattern, ensuring each screw gets the same turn as you do. Make sure the component is centered and not touching anything. Also, confirm the fan is running properly—when it gets warm, is the CPU fan actually operating at a slow speed? I support upgrades, but a straightforward fix is usually best. A picture or two can help if you want to share the heatsink.
For that budget, you can acquire a very appealing gaming setup. Here’s a suggestion that can be adjusted easily.
PCPartPicker Part List
CPU:
AMD Ryzen 7 9700X 3.8 GHz 8-Core Processor
(1540.99SR @ Newegg Saudi Arabia)
CPU Cooler:
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 72.8 CFM Liquid CPU Cooler
(657.63SR @ Newegg Saudi Arabia)
Motherboard:
Gigabyte X870E AORUS ELITE WIFI7 ATX AM5 Motherboard
(1544.44SR @ Newegg Saudi Arabia)
Memory:
Patriot Viper Venom 32 GB (2 x 16 GB) DDR5-6000 CL30 Memory
(532.17SR @ Newegg Saudi Arabia)
Storage:
Western Digital Black SN770 2 TB M.2-2280 PCIe 4.0 X4 NVME SSD
(699.69SR @ Newegg Saudi Arabia)
Video Card:
Sapphire PULSE Radeon RX 7900 XT 20 GB Video Card
(3378.69SR @ Newegg Saudi Arabia)
Case:
Phanteks XT PRO ULTRA ATX Mid Tower Case
(860.55SR @ Newegg Saudi Arabia)
Power Supply:
Thermaltake Toughpower GF3 TT Premium 850 W 80+ Gold Certified Fully Modular ATX Power Supply
(702.48SR @ Newegg Saudi Arabia)
Total:
9916.64SR
Prices cover shipping, taxes, and any available discounts
Created by
PCPartPicker
2025-01-04 22:30 +03+0300
This power supply isn’t ideal, so I upgraded to a better one.
You can repurpose your existing M.2 slot for OS or apps. The 2TB drive should hold games nicely.
The 7900XT offers a significant boost in GPU performance compared to your 2060 Super and will serve you well for a long time.
The fan is working just fine, I didn’t want an upgrade but my family is contributing money and pushing me to do so. Thanks a lot for your help, but this is for Saudi Arabia. I need parts in South Africa and prices in South African Rands, not Saudi Riyal—about a fifth of the cost, which is sadly hard to get. They probably won’t show South African prices, but around 550 USD would be really appreciated. No pressure! <3
Sorry about that. The search for South Africa pcpartpicker led me to a Saudi Arabia site. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize it was wrong while using my phone. I’ll try another approach.